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Santa Steam Specials are running to capacity, and despite the poor weather conditions we have seen lots and lots of happy faces. This weekend has the possibility of some snow showers and if that combines with clear blue skies, you have the picture postcard Santa Specials.

This weekend, as with all Santa Steam Specials, trains will have a combination of locomotives, with steam locomotives operating on the south, Oxenhope end of the train, assisted by one of our mainline diesel locomotives at the Keighley end. Once again steam motive power will be provided by 2 locomotives. On Saturday, taking its first tour of Santa duty this year, will be MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 and on Sunday BR Class 2 2-6-0 78022 will have the honours. Both locomotives will be in steam, with the non-operation locomotive, on standby in Haworth yard.

This weekend the diesel locomotive will be Class 20, 20 031 on both days.

For visitors without a Santa Steam Special ticket wishing to travel along the Worth Valley, a diesel railcar service operates throughout the day by our Class 101 diesel multiple unit, starting at 09.00, giving passengers a new perspective through the forward facing windows on our diesel railcars. This service is free of charge to Santa Special ticket holders.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

The first Santa Steam Specials ran to capacity last weekend albeit in poor weather conditions but there were lots of smiling faces nonetheless. Hopefully this weekend will be a little better although some rain (hopefully not s much) is forecast

Throughout the Santa season, trains will have a combination of locomotives, with steam locomotives operating on the south, Oxenhope end of the train, assisted by one of our mainline diesel locomotives at the Keighley end. Steam motive power for the Santa Steam Specials will be provided by 2 locomotives, BR Class 2 2-6-0 78022 on Saturday (its 2nd day in passenger service after overhaul) and BR Ivatt 2-6-2T 41241, that hauled trains throughout last weekend, on Sunday. This weekend the diesel locomotive will be Class 20, 20 031 on both days.

For visitors without a Santa Steam Special ticket wishing to travel along the Worth Valley, a diesel railcar service operates throughout the day by our Class 101 diesel multiple unit, starting at 09.00, giving passengers a new perspective through the forward facing windows on our diesel railcars.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

There are three very special events this weekend. Whilst the nation looks on in awe of the Royal couple and football fans watch the FA Cup final, Haworth will be holding its Haworth 1940s Weekend, arguably one of the best such events in the country.

To cater for the crowds that flock to the Valley for this event, the Railway is running an intensive timetable throughout both days. To ensure punctuality of the service, we will have 3 locomotives operating each day with changeover at Keighley, rather than the usual running round. The line up will be

USATC S160 2-8-0 5820

MR 4F 0-6-0 43924

BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078

In addition, the early morning diesel service from Oxenhope will be locomotive hauled stock in the capable hands of Class 20, no. 20 031. With FOUR mainline locomotives in action this weekend is almost a mini-gala.

First trains depart both Oxenhope (diesel hauled) and Keighley (steam hauled) at 08.45 with the last diesel service, the 10.15 from Keighley and then its 100% steam for the rest of the day.

The same timetable operates on Saturday and Sunday this weekend, please click HERE for this weekend’s timetable.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate

No sooner had the news item been sent out regarding the diesel service this weekend, than Mission Control (Haworth Station) sent out an amendment that only the Saturday diesel service would now be cancelled and Sunday services will run as per the published Blue timetable with 75078 and M79964.

In addition, on Saturday all steam services on the advertised revised green timetable, will run as a top and tailed formation with steam on the Oxenhope end, 75078, and the class 20 diesel, 20 031, on the Keighley end.

Hopefully, that is now set in stone, unless someone else knows differently! So, brave the cold, just as our volunteers have bravely done, and get out there with your cameras to record this unusual formation, normally only seen when the man in red with the reindeer comes around.

This week sees the introduction of the mid-week diesel railcar service with 6 round trips starting at 10.00. This service has proved popular with our passengers and to accommodate the number of people who travel at this time of year, the service will be operated by the Class 101 diesel multiple unit.

On Saturday the Railway has the last of our Diesel & Ale Days, just 3 weeks before the much awaited Beer & Music Festival which starts on Thursday 19th October. The steam service will be headed by MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 with the Saturday diesel locomotive hauled train in the hands of Class 20, 20 031.

Autumn is well and truly here and Sunday sees us into October which means the introduction of the revised Blue Timetable with just one steam service and relief path in the hands of a diesel railcar. 43924 will continue on Sunday taking the main service set; starting at 10.15 and offering 5 round trips. The Class 101 will be operating all day with 4 rounds trips, starting at 11.00.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

USATC S160 2-8-0 5820 will see 7 days of continuous running this week, operating the weekday and weekend steam service from Oxenhope to Keighley. On Sunday 5820 will be joined by BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 on the relief set.

Saturday sees the 4th of our end of month diesel and steam Saturdays which this year features sponsorship by a local brewery in what we have termed Diesel & Ale Saturdays. This Diesel & Ale Saturday will have English Electric Class 20, 20 031 providing the diesel service throughout the day when the buffet will be sponsored by local Keighley based, Wishbone Brewery serving a selection of their own real ales throughout the day.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

Daily running of a steam services starts on Monday 5th June when the KWVR will be offering 4 return trips of the branch with the first train departing Oxenhope at 10.00. For the start of daily running WD 2-8-0 90733 will be at the head of all timetabled steam services throughout the week.

At the weekend 90733 will continue on Saturday and Sunday, being joined by MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 on Sunday.

The weekend of the 10th & 11th is not only a weekend of steam action but it is our Steam & Ale Trail weekend with an enhanced service with an intensive timetable of 2 train operations on both days with both steam and mainline diesel haulage. Visit the main KWVR website Steam & Ale Trail page for all the information you need about this popular event, first introduced in 2016.

On Saturday 90733 will operate the steam service with the second train in the capable hands of our mainline diesels, Class 20, 20 031, and Class 37 37 075. On Sunday 90733 and 43924 will be hauled by our Class 25 diesel, 25 059. For enthusiasts wanting details of which train each locomotive will be hauling, CLICK HERE for the detailed timetable.

For the public passenger timetables in operation during the week and the weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

This weekend is the last Saturday of the month, so a two train service will operate all day with the relief train in the hands of one of our ‘big’ diesels. Originally Class 25 059 had been pencilled in to return to service this weekend but its overhaul continues so English Electric Class 20 no. 20 031 will take a 4 coach set throughout the day. The Class 101 DMU will operate the Sunday morning diesel service.

MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 will step down on Friday with WD 2-8-0 90733 taking over for the weekend service. On Sunday and Monday 90733 will be joined by BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 which will then continue for the rest of the week on the final Orange timetable service for this year.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the timetable page.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power and coaching stock are available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 has been at the head of weekday services this week and now takes a rest for a water change, with BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75078 taking over for the weekend, then continuing throughout the week on the weekday steam service. On Saturday the early morning diesel service will be in the hands of the Class 101 diesel multiple unit but Sunday sees English Electric 0-6-0 D0226 at the head of coaching stock on the Sunday morning diesel service.

43924 returns on Sunday, taking over from D0226 on the 11.45 ex-Oxenhope.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the timetable page.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power and coaching stock are available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 45212 is at Haworth receiving attention from Haworth works staff so linesiders will have to wait a little longer before the locomotive is out on the branch. BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 will be at the head of the steam service for a 7 day turn of duty from Saturday right through the week to Friday. 75078 will be joined on Sunday by WD 2-8-0 90733.

The normal early morning diesel railbus on Saturday will once again feature English Electric Class 20 no. 20 031 at the head of locomotive hauled stock. The Class 101 DMU will operate the Sunday morning diesel service.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the timetable page.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power and coaching stock are available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

The ‘shuttle’ Vintage Set hauled by LNWR 0-6-2T ‘Coal Tank’ will once again consist of two carriages from the Vintage Carriages Trust fleet:
Great Northern Railway 6-wheel Brake, no. 589
Southern Railway ‘Chatham’ Brake, no. 3554

BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 will head the main timetable services throughout the weekend, with the weekday service in the hands of MR 4F 0-6-0 43924.

The normal early morning diesel railbus is rested on Saturday and English Electric Class 20 no. 20 031 will take a locomotive hauled set on the morning diesel run before handing over to 75078. The Class 101 DMU will operate the Sunday morning diesel service.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the timetable page.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power and coaching stock are available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

After a long and protracted restoration to mainline condition, ex-LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 45212 has returned, albeit for a very limited period, to the KWVR for final painting and running-in prior to returning to Ian Riley’s at Bury for any remedial work and final preparation for returning to the mainline.

The arrival of LMS Class 5MT 4-6-0 45212 has set tongues wagging but linesiders will have to wait a little longer before the locomotive is put through its paces. BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 has operated throughout the week but MR 4F 0-6-0 43924 will take over for the weekend being joined on Sunday by WD 2-8-0 90733 that will then continue through to Friday 15th July on the weekday service.

The normal early morning diesel railbus is again rested on Saturday and English Electric Class 20 no. 20 031 will take the service set on the morning diesel run before handing over to 43924. The Class 101 DMU will operate the Sunday morning diesel service.

After the withdrawal from service of BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078 at the weekend, the weekday service has been in the hands of MR 4F 0-6-0 43924.

However, it is anticipated that repairs will be completed in time for 75078 to resume duties on 1st July and will be the main steam locomotive Saturday and Sunday and throughout the week.

Sunday sees the third of our ‘Vintage Train’ days when TVR 0-6-2T no. 85 will head the ‘main’ Vintage Set which will be formed of four coaches, comprising coaches from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Trust and Vintage Carriages Trust:
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Club Car, no. 47
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway 6-wheel 3rd Class coach, no. 1507
Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Brake 3rd, no. 1474
Metropolitan Railway Brake 3rd, no. 427

The ‘shuttle’ Vintage Set hauled by LNWR 0-6-2T ‘Coal Tank’ will once again consist of two carriages from the Vintage Carriages Trust fleet:
Great Northern Railway 6-wheel Brake, no. 589
Southern Railway ‘Chatham’ Brake, no. 3554

The normal early morning diesel railbus is rested on Saturday and English Electric Class 20 no. 20 031 will take the service set on the morning diesel run before handing over to 75078. The Class 101 DMU will operate the Sunday morning diesel service.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the timetable page.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power and coaching stock are available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

Saturday sees the third of our ‘Big Diesel’ days when our normal early morning diesel railbus is rested and one of our mainline diesels, hauling coaching, stock takes its place and operates throughout the day in addition to our steam service

This Saturday’s diesel haulage will be provided by English Electric Class 20 no. 20 031. 20 031 is not the only diesel haulage this weekend as Sunday will see 0-6-0 diesel shunter D0226 on the early morning railcar service for two round trips from Oxenhope to Keighley.

The main steam locomotive this weekend and throughout the week will be BR Class 4MT 4-6-0 75078, joined on Sunday by MR 4F 0-6-0 43924

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the timetable page.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power and coaching stock are available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

The weekday service this week is in the hands of WD 2-8-0 90733. The service commences at 10.00 with the first train from Oxenhope and the Vintage Tour Bus is in operation all week.

On Saturday USATC S160 2-8-0 5820 will take over the steam service for the weekend and 90733 will come back for the Sunday relief service.

This Saturday sees the last of the diesel locomotive hauled trains. Originally scheduled for Class 25 haulage, the service will now be in the hands of Class 20 031 and Class 37, 37 075 as the repairs to 25 059 have not been completed in time. Diesel Class 101 will take the Sunday morning diesel service.

With trains operating on only 3 days this week (see details of the disruption to our services on the KWVR Website), 4F 0-6-0 43924 is in action Monday & Tuesday. Wednesday is a top-&-tail service, WD 2-8-0 90733 at the south end with Class 20 20 031 at the Keighley end of the train on this Oxenhope – Ingrow shuttle. Each day the first steam train leaves Oxenhope at 10.00.

On Thursday and Friday, when no train service operate, there will be tours of Haworth Locomotive Works to meet each of the bus services arriving at Haworth Station.

Over the weekend the main service will continue behind 90733 with the diesel service in the hands of 20 031 on Saturday and the Class 101 DMU, Sunday. Sunday will see 90733 on the main service, joined by LNWR 0-6-2 ‘Coal Tank’ 1054 on the Vintage Trains passenger service.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.

In a year of 50th anniversaries which have so far included the arrival of the first rolling stock and founding of the Vintage Carriages Trust, one 50th anniversary nearly passed un-noticed. On the 5th June 1965, with stock having arrived only a few months earlier, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway operated its first ever passenger train, although it was a far cry from the 6 coach Keighley – Oxenhope trains that regularly make the journey up and down the Valley today. It would be another 3 years before regular passenger trains returned to the Valley.

Formed of Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-4-0ST 51218 and the Southern Railway ‘Matchboard’ coach no. 3554, the Railway offered rides out of Haworth Yard, under Bridge 26 and a short distance along Haworth loop in conditions that today would give any self respecting Safety Officer a heart attack. A few photographs survive of the day courtesy of Chris Bray and F. W. Smith and show not only enthusiastic men but wives and girl friends with children of all sizes queuing for a ride and swarming all over the tracks of Haworth Yard.

A small but insignificant step for which we are eternally grateful 50 years on.

Queue for the train in Haworth Yard

Waiting in Haworth Yard

Steaming out of Haworth Yard …

… and return

Passing under Bridge 26

957 (52044), 1247 and 4744 stand silent awaiting their turn on another day.

On the same day photographer Martin S. Welch was in the Highlands of Scotland and by chance took this photograph of BR Class 20 D8031 at Kittybrewster Shed, Aberdeen complete with tablet catcher and snowplough. It would be many years before this locomotive was withdrawn and avoided the cutters torch by being preserved on the KWVR; today operational with its later numbering of 20 031.

BR Standard 4MT 4-6-0 75078 is again in action this week on the weekday service and will handle all the services Monday – Friday. The first steam train leaves Oxenhope at 10.00 and the last service on the branch departs Keighley at 15.45 – 4 round trips in all.

Over the weekend the main service will again be 75078 hauled with the Saturday diesel locomotive train in the hands of Class 20, 20 031 for the third of the railway’s diesel days. Sunday sees a welcome return of the Vintage Trains in the relief path with ‘vintage’ stalwart, LNWR 0-6-2T ‘Coal tank’ 1054 at its head. 75078 will remain in action for the week 15th – 19th June.

For the timetables in operation this weekend, please click HERE to visit the main website.

Whilst every effort will made to ensure that the advised motive power is available, the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway reserve the right to change this when operational circumstances so dictate.